NEW YORK (AP) - Tampa Bay safety Dashon Goldson has been suspended for one game for flagrant and repeat violations of NFL safety rules prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players.

Goldson was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter of Sunday's game against New Orleans for making direct, helmet-to-helmet contact with a defenseless receiver, Darren Sproles.

The suspension was imposed Monday by NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks. Goldson can't practice this week nor play in the Buccaneers' game on Sunday against New England. He can return to football activities with the team next Monday.

The violation was Goldson's fifth for unnecessary roughness since 2011 and his second in the first two weeks of the 2013 season. Goldson was fined $30,000 last week for striking a defenseless player in the head and neck area against the New York Jets.